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WILLIES GROCERY STORE INC.

4958 S WOLCOTT AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

WILLIES GROCERY STORE INC. has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 15, 2014. The most recent inspection, on November 7, 2025, recorded 3 infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 20 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 7, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 7, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 3, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded once on October 30, 2025. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 9 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 30, 2025. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • 2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS HANDLING MEAT WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED MEAT DISPLAY COOLING UNIT, BREAD AND BAKERY ITEM DISPLAY CASINGS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACE WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 6-501.19 OBSERVED TOILET ROOM WITHOUT SELF CLOSING DOOR AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-501.111 OUT PF 11/06/2025 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 10 LARGE RODENT DROPPINGS AS WELL AS 30 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS ON SHELVING UNITS OF STORAGE TABLES LOCATED IN BASEMENT AND ALONGSIDE CHEST FREEZERS.NOTED APPROXIMATELY 50 SMALL AND LARGE FLIES FLYING THROUGHOUT MEAT, BASEMENT, STORAGE AND REAR PREP, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF DISPLAY CASES CONTAINING BAKERY ITEMS, PORK SKINS, ETC. RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. MUST ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • 2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS HANDLING MEAT WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED MEAT DISPLAY COOLING UNIT, BREAD AND BAKERY ITEM DISPLAY CASINGS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACE WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 6-501.19 OBSERVED TOILET ROOM WITHOUT SELF CLOSING DOOR AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
  3. Canvass

    13 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED HANDSINK LOCATED IN IN USE PREP AREA WITHOUT HOT OR COLD RUNNING WATER DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND PROVIDE HOT RUNNING WATER @ AT LEAST 100F AND MAINTAIN FOR PROPER HANDWASHING. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED MISSING THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLING UNITS THROUGHOUT GROCERY STORE , INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WHERE TCS FOODS ARE STORED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 10 LARGE RODENT DROPPINGS AS WELL AS 30 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS ON SHELVING UNITS OF STORAGE TABLES LOCATED IN BASEMENT AND ALONGSIDE CHEST FREEZERS.NOTED APPROXIMATELY 50 SMALL AND LARGE FLIES FLYING THROUGHOUT MEAT, BASEMENT, STORAGE AND REAR PREP, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF DISPLAY CASES CONTAINING BAKERY ITEMS, PORK SKINS, ETC. RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. MUST ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS HANDLING MEAT WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED VARIOUS MEATS STORED INSIDE OF TRASH BAGS THROUGHOUT WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD INSIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS ONLY AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CRATES USED FOR ELEVATION AND STORAGE THROUGHOUT COOLING UNITS AS WELL AS PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SHELVING UNITS TO STORE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR TESTING SANITIZER STRENGHT AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MEAT DISPLAY COOLING UNIT, BREAD AND BAKERY ITEM DISPLAY CASINGS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACE WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED TOILET ROOM WITHOUT SELF CLOSING DOOR AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED TRASH, OPENED PRODUCTS AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT BOTH PRODUCE AND MEAT WALK IN COOLERS, IN BETWEEN ALL EQUIPMENT, IN SMALL STORAGE SPACE IN REAR PREP AREA, IN BETWEEN SHELVING RACKS THROUGHOUT FRONT GROCERY AND SMALL HALLWAY LEADING TO RESTROOM IN BETWEEN CRATES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING THROUGHOUT MEAT AND REAR PREP/STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULBS AND INCREASE LIGHTING IN SAID SPACES.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.
  4. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN AND SANITIZE KNIFE RACKS AT THE MEAT PREP AREA. CLEAN AND SANITIZE SLICERS AND BAND SAW.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REMOVE THE CARDBOARD AND CLEAN FLOORS AT THE DISPLAY CASE.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS OVER MEAT PREP AREA.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN PRODICE COOLER.
  6. Short Form Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED FRONT SINK STILL SPRAYER ONLY, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL NAZZLE TO REACH ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS.
  7. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED RUSTY STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS NOT CLEAN IN REAR PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED WALLS&CEILINGS IN PRODUCE COOLER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • 3 COMP. SINK SPRAYER ONLY, NO NOZZLE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FRONT 3 COMP. SINK, REAR 3 COMP NEED TO REPLACE LEAKING SPRAYER.

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